7/30/2013 |
Helton gets rare start against left-handerTodd Helton's start on Tuesday was a mild surprise: Manager Walt Weiss had generally avoided using Helton against left-handers, and the Braves were starting Alex Wood, who throws a knuckle-curve.

7/30/2013 |
Oswalt getting closer to making rehab startRight-hander Roy Oswalt said the beginning was a little rough, but his bullpen session on Tuesday at Turner Field -- 36 pitches, using all his pitches -- went well enough that he's good to go for a simultated game Friday in Pittsburgh and a Minor League rehab start.

7/30/2013 |
Berkman battling to return amid trying seasonLance Berkman said he needs to make a decision soon on whether he can get back on the field for the Rangers or if he needs to head back home to Houston. The prospects aren't good for his return, although he is still trying to come back.

7/30/2013 |
Pierzynski makes back-to-back starts at DHA.J. Pierzynski has been in the lineup for 12 straight games since the All-Star break. That's unheard of for a catcher, but Pierzynski has been splitting that time by also serving as the Rangers' designated hitter.

7/30/2013 |
Washington gives slumping Moreland night offFirst baseman Mitch Moreland, who has just two hits in 39 at-bats since the All-Star break, was out of the lineup Tuesday with left-hander C.J. Wilson on the mound for the Angels

7/30/2013 |
Pair of homers plenty for Buehrle's sterling startMark Buehrle extended his streak of consecutive scoreless innings to 20 with another impressive outing while Jose Bautista and Emilio Bonifacio each homered in the Blue Jays' 5-0 victory over the Athletics on Tuesday night at Oakland Coliseum.

7/30/2013 |
Cishek weighs in on Biogenesis scandalWith growing speculation that Alex Rodriguez could be disciplined by the end of the week, it once again raises awareness of potential performance-enhancing drugs scandals. Marlins closer Steve Cishek shared his thoughts on the Biogenesis investigation.

7/30/2013 |
Marlins move top prospect Yelich into leadoff spotChristian Yelich went from No. 1 prospect to No. 1 in the Marlins' batting order in a week. Miami manager Mike Redmond batted the rookie in the leadoff spot on Tuesday night and bumped shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria down to the No. 2 spot.

7/30/2013 |
Deadline chatter: Peavy could set off dominosThe time until the non-waiver Trade Deadline can now be counted hours instead of days, and things are getting hectic. With Jake Peavy heading to the Red Sox in a three-team deal, Ian Kennedy could soon be changing addresses, and Bud Norris is very much in play.

7/30/2013 |
Jones no longer doubting himself on the moundThrough adversity, White Sox reliever Nate Jones learned more about himself and his game out of the bullpen than he did during his breakthrough rookie campaign of 2012.

7/30/2013 |
Reds take on Stults, Padres in bid to end skidWhile the Reds will be looking to bust out of their five-game slump, Padres pitcher Eric Stults will try to sink them even lower. Homer Bailey takes the mound for Cincinnati.

7/30/2013 |
Hundley's clutch double lifts Padres to late victoryNick Hundley lined a two-run two-bagger down the left-field line in the eighth inning to break a tie and lead the Padres to a 4-2 victory over the Reds on Tuesday. Edinson Volquez tossed 6 1/3 innings of two-run ball.

7/30/2013 |
Cunningham singles in first Major League at-batTodd Cunningham took full advantage of his first chance to get into a Major League game on Tuesday, pinch-hitting for starter Alex Wood in the seventh and lining a single into left field off lefty Jeff Francis for his first big league hit in his first at-bat.

7/30/2013 |
Byrd deal unlikely as Mets want to stay competitiveFrom a sheer business standpoint, it would make sense for the Mets to trade Marlon Byrd prior to Wednesday's non-waiver Trade Deadline. But manager Terry Collins on Tuesday explained why Byrd is unlikely to go anywhere prior to the Deadline, saying: "We owe our fans some competition, too."

7/30/2013 |
In wake of close call, Farrell backs expanded replayA day after an agonizing loss, one that perhaps could have been prevented if home-plate umpire Jerry Meals had made the correct call on Daniel Nava, Red Sox manager John Farrell was matter of fact in his belief that expanded instant replay could be very beneficial for the game.

7/30/2013 |
August could be biggest challenge for rotationWhile Red Sox are closely gauging the starting pitching market (Cliff Lee, Jake Peavy, Bud Norris, etc.) in advance of Wednesday's 4 p.m. ET non-waiver Trade Deadline, manager John Farrell thinks his team can stay in contention even without an impact addition. The key, in Farrell's mind, is to hold down the fort for a few more weeks until Clay Buchholz returns to action.

7/30/2013 |
What slump? Pedroia halts slide with two-run homerDustin Pedroia doesn't slump very often, but it has happened of late. The Red Sox's star second baseman was in an 0-for-15 rut heading into Tuesday's game. After reaching on an error in the first inning, Pedroia halted his recent slide in impressive fashion, launching a two-run homer over the Green Monster off Joe Saunders in the third.

7/30/2013 |
Fletcher goes yard in Storm Chasers debutLeft fielder Brian Fletcher hit a home run in his first game with Triple-A Omaha after being promoted from Double-A Northwest Arkansas. Fletcher's blast came in his second at-bat in the Storm Chasers' 4-2 loss to Nashville.